Air Fryer Fried Chicken Legs

Try these Air Fryer Fried Chicken Legs for a healthier alternative to fried chicken. They are crispy, crunchy and oh so delicious, without all the added fat. This is a delicious meal that both kids and adults can agree on.

If you follow me on Facebook, then you know that an Air Fryer was on the top of my Christmas list for 2017. I was talking about it so much that hubby bought me one a couple of weeks before Christmas.

(I think he was tired of hearing me drop not-too-subtle hints about it.)

I am happy to report that I love it even more than I had hoped.

It is such a great way to create easy weeknight meals, like these Air Fryer Chicken Legs.

So far, in addition to this recipe, we’ve made steaks, Brussels sprouts, french fries and sandwiches in it. All have been a smashing success.

I knew I was going to love my Air Fryer, but I didn’t realize that it was something that we were going to use almost every day. To be honest, I am pretty shocked that the it works as well as it does! It isn’t that I was skeptical, exactly.

More that I expected to feel like we were sacrificing in some way. (Like Air Popped Popcorn. It is good, but not near as tasty as the “real” thing.)

I am happy to report that I feel zero sense of sacrifice over traditionally fried foods. (And that is saying something. I love to create healthy recipes, but I am also a Southern girl at heart.)

The boys love chicken legs, and I love that I can make them for them without having to stink up my house with oil or go to the trouble of frying. Plus, since Alex is now a teen, these are something that the boys can make for themselves and I don’t have to be neurotic about them burning themselves with hot oil. (Or burning down the house with the gas stove.)

You know what is even better?

They are so much better for them than traditional fried chicken.

Let’s be honest. Nothing screams comfort food like fried chicken. This healthier remake offers all the same comfort without the guilt.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryers:

What is Air Frying?

Air Frying is a method of using convection heat to cook with less fat. The goal is to create healthier dishes with less fat.

How Does an IT Work?

They work by circulating hot air around the cooking chamber using a convection fan. The result is delicious crispy food with all the flavor of deep fried foods but a fraction of the fat.

Can You Do Anything Other Than Fry in an Air Fryer?

Absolutely! You can bake, grill and roast in most air fryers thanks to the optional accessories offered by most manufacturers.

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Recommended Equipment to Make This Recipe

Oven Baked Chicken Legs

Don’t have an air fryer? Preheat oven to 375. Bake for 1 hour, flipping after 30 minutes

Clean-Up Tip

For easy clean up, line the bottom of your fryer with parchment paper. Once you are done cooking, allow to cool slightly and then hand wash. Rinse. Turn your Air Fryer back on for a few minutes to dry.

Variations for Air Fryer Fried Chicken Legs

For an extra kick, add in 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the seasonings.

Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan to the flour mixture.

If you’ve tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.

About Wendy Polisi

Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 10 & 11 and my late life princess is 3. Firm believers in lifestyle design, our family has been location independent since 2008. Join me to read about our adventures in the kitchen…and out!

I made these last night!! So delicious!! I’ve only had my air fryer a few weeks!! They were so good my hubby requested them again tonight! However, I was thinking of making them tender style. Is there any tips or things I should change to make compatible?

Found this recipe while I was thawing out chicken legs in the microwave and I just knew I had to try out the pickle brine. My husband compared it to “if chik-fil-a made regular fried chicken”. I dunno if it was because the brine we had was from homemade too salty refrigerated pickles, but they got a lot of the flavor for only 45 minutes of brine. Juicy and crispy, awesome! Thanks for posting.

This really was so good!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. My hubby wants me to make it again tonight and I just made it last night. Only thing I did was cook it a tad bit longer but otherwise I followed the recipe as is.